Wagon



J. D. WHEELER WAGON 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 7., 1947 R. R m ME VVWE l w p um D F J 4 4 J n V 4 V 5 2 4 FIG. 2

A TORNEY y 10, J.D. WHEELER I 2,470,061

' WAGON ZSheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 7, i947 INVYENTOR. J. D. WHEELER ATTORNEY Patented May 10, 1949 WAGON John Delbert Wheeler,

American Detroit, Mich., assignor to Metalcraft Corporation,

Detroit,

Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application January '7, 1947, Serial No. 720,627

8 Claims.

This invention relates to vehicles and more particularly to wagons of the type commonly used by children and/or adults for amusement such as coasting, and for transporting various articles of merchandise, or any other desired material within the necessary limits of size and weight.

Heretofore many vehicles of this nature have been proposed which have proved unsatisfactory due to failure to support adequate loads or on the other hand have been so heavy as to preclude their use by smaller children. Many of the prior art vehicles have failed to provide adequate steering apparatus and in very few instances has there been any attempt to provide a spring suspension system resulting in better riding qualities.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a Vehicle of light sheet metal construction capable of supporting any reasonable load which might be placed thereon.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a vehicle in which the entire body is a onepiece metal stamping.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a vehicle having a rugged steering mechanism not liable to injury or breakdown and in which the steering action is relatively easy.

It is afurther object of this invention to provide a vehicle having a steering and pulling bar of novel construction.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a vehicle having a novel spring suspension resulting in superior riding qualities.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a vehicle in which the axles are held against longitudinal movement by a novel construction of the spring suspension means.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a vehicle in which all parts are enclosed within the sides and ends of the body thus affording maximum protection from damage thereto due to accidents and the like.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a vehicle having front and rear bumpers of novel construction for protection of the vehicle and other objects.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a vehicle the external appearance of which simulates that of an automobile and in which there is provided a simulated instrument panel.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a vehicle which is relatively simple and economical to construct from a minimum number of parts and with relatively unskilled labor.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a vehicle constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 a top plan view;

Fig. 3 a longitudinal sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Fig. 4 a front elevation;

Fig. 5 a transverse sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 a transverse sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 a detail view of the front axle support with parts in section for greater clarity and showing the novel spring suspension;

Fig. 8 a detail view similar to Fig. 7 but showing the rear axle support and spring suspension;

Fig. 9 a detail view in perspective of the handle and steering bar; and

Fig. 10 a fragmentary sectional view on the line lU-lll of Fig. 8.

With reference to the drawings there is shown a vehicle I!) in whichthe body H comprises a shell-like one-piece metal stamping having a general outline simulating the shape of a streamlined automobile. The forward end of the body is provided with a rounded contour and vertical elongated parallel depressions l2 are stamped therein to simulate an automobile radiator grille. These depressions or corrugations also contribute to a great extent to the strength and rigidity of the front portion of the body. Also provided on the rounded forward portion of the body are simulated headlights l3 which may be applied by stenciling or the like but which preferably are applied in the form of decalcomania.

Adjacent the front and rear wheels of the vehicle and in the sides of the body there are provided raised portions l4 and I5 which simulate fender skirts and these portions are decorated to further simulate the appearance of an automobile.

The sides I6 of the body extend downwardly to substantially the mid point of the wheels and terminate in a bead l1 extending completely around the body and serving as a strengthening member.

The rear portion of the body is also provided with a rounded contour and both the front and rear portion are provided with rubber bumpers l8 and I9 secured thereto by concealed rivets, by cement or in other desired manner. These bumpers are provided in order to protect the vehicle from damage in the event of a collision with other objects and also to minimize damage and marring to furniture or other objects with which the vehicle may come in contact.

The inner portion of the shell-like body i l is of unique construction and provides a dished portion having an upper level 20 and a lower level 2|. The upper level 20 provides a clearance beneath the body for a purpose which will presently appear and the lower level Fl! provides a suitable seat or platform for the operator of the vehicle or may be used to support various articles of merchandise or other material which it is desired to transport.

Between the upper level 29 and lower level 2| there is provided an inclined portion"22 upon which there is applied, as by a decalcomaniai2dla I simulation of an automobile instrument panel and on the rear external surface of the bodythere is provided a simulated license tag 23 which, still further renders the likeness to an automobile more realistic. I

In'the upper level "2 I! there "is provided "adj acent the forward 'endthereof arranged "circular opening 24 in which is rotatably received "a tubular member 25. tubular member is provided midway of its length with a circular bead 26 which rests on the top surface 2-1 of the flange 24.

Secured to the lower endof the-tubular member 25 as by rivets or the like 28 is a yoke 29 formed by a-one-piece*metalstaniping *h-av'ing end portions extending downwardly and outwardly and terminating in axle -"su-p'pofting portions 3 13.

The upper portion of the member 29 adjacent "the itubular member -25 is Fformed with a flange 28' which coritacts the au'ndersur f ace-of the bottom thus providinga*thrust bearing supporting ithe we'iglit or the forward po'rtionof the vehicle and permitting fr'ee-rota'tionrof the tubular memb'er :and menibe'r 29.

Provided in the axle supporting .portions are :33 tth'erein :for "the ireception nf the extended aend portionsofi coil-compressionssprings I34. The toplpOSitB ends :of :these coil springs 34 @are provided :with extensions R35 which {project through -.aper- :tures :36 in theiaxlev3-2-and sserve :tol-hold :the axle against -endwise :movement with respect 'to the -.su-pporting :member :29. The engagement of the Vspringiend-s -SB withthe axle 32 atogetherwvith the -slots r31 serve-as theisol'ezmeans to'retain the axle in position on the supporting member -29. The

-.spring-s =34 provide in :effect an individual spring suspension for-each end of the :axle since each spring is compressed between the spring seat .and \the=;axle thus resiliently supporting the body on the axleland inlthis way results vin a vehicle having superiorriding qualities.

[A rear axle vsupporting member '31, shown par- Lticularly in .Fig. B, is similar to "that described -above with the exception that mounting holes '38lareprovided.'for=thereception' .o'f bolts"39 which secure the supporting bracket tdthe'bo't'to'm 2| .ofithe vehicle. The.springsuspension'for-the rear axle isidentical with that described above in con- "nection with' the front axlel32.

secured to the top oflthe 'tubular member "25 'by rivets or thelilike l l is "afdrWardly extending channelrshaped 'bar fljbest "shown in Fig. '9, to the forwardend of whichis'p'ivotedrat 42" a chan- Yfriellshape'd steering'lever or handle 43 which ter- Inmates in amen engagin knop 4 4 As shown "in phantom in "Fig. 9, the handle 43 my extend forwardly of the bar 42 to provide a convenient means for pulling the vehicle, but when it is desired to use the Vehicle as a coaster or the like the handle 44 is folded rearwardly over the bar 42 and the upper end of the tubular member 25 to form a steering handle as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The inner surface of the channel ashaped handle 43 is so i'p'roportione d as to closely engage the sides of thebar '42 and the collar 45 which surrounds the upper end of the tubular -'I'nember 25 to provide a rigid steering assembly which in efiect causes the hand-engaging knob 44 to rotate in an arc about the center of the tubular member "25, thus providing what might fbetermed'concentric steering.

In order to resist rearward movement of the frontsaxle SE during forward motion of the vehicle ortduring contact of the wheels with irregu la'r surfaces in the pavement or the like, there is provided a brace 46 "secured by a bolt or the like '41 to the under surface of the body member 21. The brace -45 'extendsforwardly and terminatesiua U-"shapedportion 48 which is received over the central portion of the axle 32 *and 'is rotatably -secured thereto by a rivet -or the like 49 extending =through'an aperture -t'lll in the axle 3'2. It is thus seen that the axle and its supportin-g member 2 9 may be rotated about the axis of the tubular member 25 to steer the vehicle and still be "supported again's't undesirable "rear- -war1i movement-by th'e bracefflli. Sufficient clearance ror fnovement cif the front wheels -:dui i'ng steering operations is provided 'by' the upper level =of the :bottom of the "body and in i order to further strengthen this portionlof tlie 'body thereiis provided aistreng'then'in-g rib 5| in its upper surface.

Wheels 552 10f more 201 Iless conventional form are secured on the ends of ?the front and-rear axles lnzaxconventional:manner, ithe'se :wheelstbe- -ing' of ltheirolleribe'aring type and beingprovi'ded with semi-pneumatic tires :in rorder it'o ifurther Li'ncrea'seithe riding qualities of the svehicle. Rurtherzdescr ipti'ontof the ldetailssof ithe wheels'stnucaturexi's lCOIlSidBIBd unnecessary since this structure forms mopartzof this invention.

,Itnwill :be noted that the wheels and z'axles, {the :spring suspension and tall steering imechanism are either enclosed by the bodywo'f rtlreivehicleor in $116 eased the :steering #bar .d0 not extend theyondtthe -.outer surface-pf the vehicle which is an important factor inathatidamagelto the various parts is heldto a -minimum:since@the body will :absorb zany shock -due to impact with other wehicles -:or objects and .thus serve to protect the more vital parts -.of the yehicle.

The particular construction used'results in a relatively "strong Lbody which will support any reasonable weightlplaced thereon without undue (deflection and a vehicle .Lhaving a low reenter .of gravity which assuresrsafe candstable operation at relatively high .speeds.

'Q'Ihe unique design -.of .this vehicle .also permits vsubstantially all or the ,parts to' bema'demore or lessby simple s'tamping'operations which results in an extremely economical construction and in a vehicle which may be manufactured and asjsernble'tl by comparatively unskilled labor.

It will. be obviousito those-skilled 'inithe artthat various changes ifnay be "made in .the invention without departing from .the spirit and .sc'ope thereofand'thereforethe'invention is not limited bythattwhichiis shown .inlthe drawing and described in the specification but .only as indicated in the appended-claims.

, What is claimed is:

1. In a vehicle a body comprising ashell-like structure having an outer portion forming substantially upright sides and ends thereof, the upper part of said outer portion being curved gradually inwardly and defining an inner side wall and a substantially horizontally disposed intermediate load supporting portion located at an elevation between the top and the bottom of said outer portion with front and rear sections of said load supporting portion disposed at different elevations and providing a corresponding difference in clearance therebeneath, the section of said intermediate load supporting portion disposed at the higher elevation having a post receiving opening, an axle carrying member fastened beneath each of said front and rear sections, elongated slots in said axle carrying members adjacent the ends thereof, an axle received in the elongated slots of each axle carrying member, wheels rotatably mounted on said axles adjacent the outer ends thereof, spring seats formed in said axle carrying members, apertures formed in each spring seat, apertures in said axles located opposite the apertures in said spring seats, compression spring means extending between said spring seats and said axles, means on the ends of each spring extending into the apertures in said spring seats and the apertures in said axles whereby each axle is resiliently supported adjacent the ends thereof and axial movement of each axle relative to its associated axle carrying member is prevented, and a post in said receiving opening rotatably mounting one of said axle carrying members beneath the section affording the greater clearance.

2. In a vehicle a body comprising a one-piece metal shell-like structure simulating an automobile said body having an outer portion forming :substantially upright sides and ends thereof said outer portion being provided with a reinforced lower edge, resilient bumper members secured to said reinforced lower edge at the front and rear of said body, the upper part of said outer portion being curved gradually inwardly and defining an inner side wall and a substantially horizontally disposed intermediate load supporting portion located at an elevation between the top and the bottom of said outer portion with front and rear sections of said load supporting portion disposed at different elevations and providing a corresponding difference in clearance therebeneath the section of said intermediate load supporting portion disposed at the higher elevation having a post receiving opening, an inclined fiat portion connecting said load supporting portions and a simulated instrument panel on the inner surface of said inclined flat portion, corrugations or depressions provided in said outer portion at the front of said body and constructed and arranged to reinforce said body and simulate a radiator grille; an axle carrying member fastened beneath each of said front and rear sections, an axle carried by each of said axle carrying members, wheels rotatably mounted on said axles adjacent the outer ends thereof, a tubular post in said receiving opening rotatably mounting one of said axle carrying members beneath the section affording the greater clearance, steering and pulling means secured to the upper end of said tubular post, said wheels and associated axle supports being enclosed within said outer portion whereby damage due to collision or the like is minimized.

ture havin an outer portion forming substan-E tially upright sides and ends thereof said outer portion being provided with a reinforced lower edge, resilient bumper members secured to said reinforced lower edge at the front and rear of said body, the upper part of said outer portion being curved gradually inwardly and defining an inner side wall and a substantially horizontally disposed intermediate load supporting portion located at an elevation between the top and the bottom of said outer portion with front and rear sections of said load supporting portion disposed at different elevations and providing a corresponding difference in clearance therebeneath the section of said intermediate load supporting portion disposed at the higher elevation having a post receiving opening, said outer portion at the front of said body being provided with corrugations or depressions constructed and arranged to reinforce the front section of said body and to simulate a radiator grille, an axle carrying member fastened beneath each of said front and rear sections, and a tubular post in said receiving opening rotatably mounting one of said axle carrying members beneath the section affording the greater clearance,

4. A vehicle body comprising a shell-like structure having an outer portion forming substantially upright sides and ends thereof said outer portion being provided with a reinforced lower edge, resilient bumper members secured to said lower edge at the front and rear of said body, the upper part of said outer portion being curved gradually inwardly and defining an inner side wall and a substantially horizontally disposed intermediate load supporting portion located at an elevation between the top and the bottom of said outer portion with front and rear sections of said load supporting portion disposed at different elevations and providing a corresponding difference in clearance therebeneath the section of said intermediate load supporting portion disposed at the higher elevation having a post receiving opening, an axle carrying member fastened beneath each of said front and rear sections, and a post in said receiving opening rotatably mounting one of said axle carrying members beneath the section affording the greater clearance.

5. A vehicle body comprising a shell-like structure having an outer portion forming substantially upright sides and ends thereof, the upper part of said outer portion being curved gradually inwardly and defining an inner side wall and a substantially horizontally disposed intermediate load supporting portion located at an elevation between the top and bottom of said outer portion with front and rear sections of said load supporting portion disposed at different elevations and providing a corresponding difference in clearance therebeneath, the section of said intermediate load supporting portion disposed at the higher elevation having a post receiving opening, an axle carrying member fastened beneath each of said front and rear sections, and a post in said receiving opening rotatably mounting one of said axle carrying members beneath the section affording the greater clearance,

6. Spring suspension means for a vehicle comprising an axle support, elongated slots in said axle support adjacent the ends thereof, an axle received in said elongated slots, spring seats formed in said axle support, apertures formed in each spring seat, apertures in said axle located opposite the apertures in said spring seats, compnessien gimme means e tending betwee $19 firm n seats and s id ek le, fine 9; eaeh spning inte a iaher wilzn am ezste lqg a3 mlly in xact-into the .apextuxes in widenfla $2511 and me lape tmtes in aid where fii 3: 9 is .resiliemly Lsupno te and ax al x we em mere- Aor meme to .said axle ,SLIPPQII is sabfianl iall e ented.

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REFERENCES 01mm) (w pll m g .neiee e se re Q recon m 1211? fi e .Qf paten UNITED STA-TES- PATENTS membe Date 1,". 117 llfiI-WQQdr: -1.-TZRP=V 1 .35 mam; 

